18 Easy Greek Side Dishes And Recipes For An Authentic Taste Of Greece

People who have been to Greece and have tasted authentic Greek food know how delicious it is; from the appetizers to the mains and the side dishes, everything tastes amazing!

That is why in this article we wanted to present you with 18 easy Greek side dishes you can try and make at home for a Greek dinner or lunch table with your friends and family.

1. Horiatiki (Greek Salad)

You don’t need to have traveled to Greece to know what a Greek salad is.

This is perhaps one of the most recognizable Greek dishes worldwide and it’s a staple side dish or sharing dish on a Greek lunch or dinner table.

A Greek salad is made with the freshest and simplest of ingredients: tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers, olives, and a huge block of feta cheese on top.

However, it wouldn’t be a Greek salad without the addition of a generous dose of olive oil and oregano.

Then, some vinegar and/or lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste, and a big spoon to toss it well is all you need to serve this salad as a side dish.

2. Beetroot Salad

Greek cuisine is known for using fresh and seasonal ingredients, but thankfully beetroots seem to be available year-round thanks to the Mediterranean climate that facilitates its growth all year long.

That is why Greeks love beetroot salad and enjoy having it in a variety of ways. A traditional beetroot salad in Greece is typically served with walnuts and a yogurt dressing.

However, thanks to the wide availability of feta cheese, you can also try making one with cheese instead of yogurt like in this recipe.

3. Grilled Bread With Olive Oil And Oregano

You asked for it, we delivered. This is undoubtedly the easiest Greek side dish you can make and let us tell you that it’s something that’s never missing from a Greek food table.

Even before you sit at a Greek restaurant, you will be served bread, and, in several cases, you will be lucky enough to get it in this form.

So, if you are going for a classic Greek side dish to surprise your Greek friends, trust us when we say that there’s nothing better for them than a taste of this grilled slice of bread they can dip in the Greek salad’s juices.

4. Fava

No matter how many times you’ve eaten yellow split peas before, if you haven’t turned them into a fava dish, you haven’t tasted them in their best version.

Smooth and creamy puree-like peas served with a drizzle of olive oil, cappers, fresh chopped parsley, or even some caramelized onions on top is going to make you wish this was your main dish.

Make this as a side dish or appetizer and you might as well start wondering why you’ve only been enjoying hummus all these years unaware of how great a fava tastes.

5. Tzatziki

There’s no need for introductions here, as tzatziki is yet another worldwide famous spread that screams ‘I’m Greek.’

Made with Greek yogurt, cucumbers, lots of garlic, olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and dill – even though many people choose to go without it – tzatziki is served as a side dish for almost anything or can even be enjoyed as an appetizer together with some bread or fries.

6. Skordalia (Greek Garlic And Potato Dip)

‘Skordo’ is garlic in Greek, so you get where this is going. Skordalia is another Greek spread, typically enjoyed around the time of a particular national holiday in Greece in late March.

Even so, many households incorporate it in their yearly meal plans as it is not only easy to make but also a perfect side dish to white fish like pollocks and haddocks.

So, if you are planning on serving such fish, do try this easy skordalia recipe, made with lots of garlic, and potatoes.

7. Taramosalata (Fish Roe Dip)

If you love trying extraordinary dishes and flavors, then you must absolutely make a taramasalata!

This fish roe dip needs only 5 ingredients to make, but one of them is not that common to many people, and that is none other than the white tarama, or white fish roe.

However, if you do decide to buy one, then the rest of the ingredients are most probably already in your pantry.

8. Melitzanosalata (Eggplant Dip)

Traditional Greek dishes, whether sides or mains smell like love and olive oil, and a melitzanosalata is an exception to that.

This spread is made with the flesh of baked eggplants that are then mixed with olive oil, some chopped onion and/or pepper, lemon juice or vinegar, salt, pepper, and parsley.

Served on its own as a side dish or with some crumbled feta cheese on top, it is the perfect dip for your bread, meat, or spoon!

9. Kolokythakia Tiganita (Batter-Fried Zucchini)

Since you are making that tzatziki dip, add these batter-fried zucchini to the list of sides you will make for that Greek-themed night of yours.

These deep-fried zucchinis are another staple appetizer or side dish for Greek people and a single bite can make you understand why.

Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, salty, and best when eaten warm, these batter-coated zucchini slices are simply amazing!

10. Revithokeftedes (Chickpea Fritters)

These herby chickpea fritters are one more classic you need to add to your list of Greek sides.

However, they can also be enjoyed as a main dish with some yogurt on the side, so if you see that you enjoy them too much, consider making them for dinner another day.

To make them, you will need the Greek staple ingredients, olive oil, and oregano, as well as some other herbs like parsley and thyme, some chopped onion, garlic, flour, and salt and pepper to taste.

The star of this side dish will be the taste of chickpeas, of course, which is why it’s best to cook them raw instead of going for a cooked and canned option.

If you like the taste of falafels, you’re going to love these chickpea balls!

11. Kolokithokeftedes (Fried Zucchini Balls)

Kolokithokeftedes are the kind of side dish that reminds most Greeks of their grandma.

Made with grated zucchini, breadcrumbs, chopped onions, grated feta cheese, spices, and aromatics, these fried zucchini balls are delicious.

Served with yogurt, tzatziki, or some extra feta cheese, this is a side dish that works perfectly next to any meat, especially the ones served with a sauce in which you can dip your zucchini balls.

12. Saganaki Cheese

Cheese lovers don’t need anything else but cheese as a side dish, and for them, saganaki cheese is the answer to their prayers.

Easy to prepare as it only needs 3 ingredients, one of which is the cheese, saganaki is a fried cheese coated in flour and served with slices of lemon you can squeeze before enjoying the next bite.

Traditionally, saganaki cheese is made with Graviera cheese, but if you can’t find any in your local grocery store, you can go with other types of ‘hard’ cheese like Pecorino, or provolone.

13. Bougiourdi

Bougiourdi is served hot, right when it’s out of the oven so that you can enjoy the melted, spicy feta cheese at its best.

It is a side dish that’s very easy to make as you essentially only mix the feta cheese with tomatoes, spicy pepper, chili, oregano, and olive oil.

In this recipe, the feta cheese is surrounded by the rest of the ingredients, but you can add it crumbled and mix all the ingredients together before baking it.

14. Gigantes Plaki (Giant Beans)

This vegetarian side dish is perfect and surprisingly filling, so you can make it for days when your lunch is rather light.

Made with large butter beans, Gigantes plaki are cooked in a rich tomato sauce and served with feta cheese.

However, if you are vegan, you can always skip the feta cheese or substitute it with a vegan cheese alternative.

15. Patates Riganates (Roasted Potatoes With Lemon And Oregano)

Greece has a great variety of potatoes, most of which can be turned into the perfect roasted potato side dish.

To make them, you will need lots of lemon juice and oregano and some olive oil. Serve them next to some pork chops or Greek souvlaki and you might even start speaking Greek!

16. Orzo

While orzo is not that famous in other cuisines, Greek cuisine uses it in many dishes and Greeks love having it as a side dish next to a big plate of meat.

It is usually cooked as part of a beef stew or as a soup, but you can always cook it on its own and drizzle some feta cheese on top. it will taste just as good!

17. Dolmades (Stuffed Vine Leaves)

Who needs sushi rolls when you can make grape leaves rolls stuffed with rice and herbs?

The Greek dolmades are one of the most unique and probably best bites you can ever have.

Served just with lemon, yogurt, or with egg-lemon sauce, they are full of flavor and can be eaten both warm and cold.

18. Red Peppers Stuffed With Cheese

A side dish perfect for vegetarians, this one is served cold and is traditionally made with red, sweet peppers from a specific region in northern Greece.

However, you can still make some tasty stuffed peppers with any long red peppers you might find, and the sweeter they are, the better.

What Are Some Good Side Dishes to Serve With Gyros?

Looking for the best sides for gyros? Try serving them with a side of Greek salad, tzatziki sauce, or hummus. These flavorful dishes perfectly complement the deliciousness of your gyros and enhance the overall dining experience. Enhance your meal by adding these mouthwatering side dishes to your plate.

The Bottom Line

From salads and fried sides to dips and cheese, there’s something for everyone here, so save these inspirational recipes for your next Greek night at home!

Frequently Asked Questions